Why do SEA?

Significant Event Audit (SEA) provides teams with a focus for clinical governance by wrapping into one activity many aspects which improve the quality of care.

 

	Team building – SEA is a multi-professional activity, helping individuals to understand and support the role of others. In an increasingly stressful working environment, SEA provides an opportunity to look out for each other.
	Patient Safety – SEA is a forum where events, good and not so good, can be discussed in an environment free from blame, when the emphasis is on improving systems.
	Culture of Openness – the learning from SEA can be shared both within a team and also between teams. The latter will be possible with suitable agreements about levels of confidentiality and anonymity.
	Tool for learning – SEA triggers learning, both personal and for the team. Outcomes should be recorded in both Personal Learning Plans (PLP) and recognised as a team learning activity.
	Adverse Events Elsewhere in the NHS - As SEA is used increasingly by teams in a variety of settings in the NHS, adverse events which involve teams in other organisations can be tackled. An incident may become apparent to a general practice but the problem may lie in the Out of Hours Service who also undertake SEA. The learning can be shared between both teams.
	Basis of Reporting Mechanisms – It will be required that teams will report adverse incidents to the Clinical Governance Lead of their Trust. SEA provides an excellent foundation for a reporting framework which will in time become "e-reporting" and the learning shared between teams by "e-learning".